Process 1.
The process in Vancouver B.C is so much worse, then the process in London Ontario, when dealing with poverty.
Returning to london Ontario process, was much easier.
After my appeal for London housing I won when I returned to London Ontario.
After appealing my case through much exhaustion levels, I was able to convince the city and systems to put me on the emergency list. They then did so. Though I did not have a easy route.
The Journey
I New I had nowhere to live and no income . When returning to London Ontario.
I also was thinking in my mind and hoping in my heart, with a few feelings and tears of exhaustion, I hope I can get housing this time, and that life would be better returning to London Ontario.
I needed the ability to cope.
I had to plan a trip on city bus to a friend's apt, who was not home when I arrived off the greyhound. With what I had.
I called his no.
And pleaded to stay with him , knowing I had no family and no other place to go, but the missions.
I was thinking and praying I did not have to go to the mission, because I New if I had to go to the missions, I would get no sleep, in a room with 7 or more woman , and I New being a clean woman, I did not desire to be in a room with addiction woman either.
I was feeling abandoned, mistreated, in pain and sleepy.
I needed a shower from bus ride of 4 days, and after calling and pleading, he Said yes, but would rather not.
This was the only choice I had, but I New being a male and knowing he smoked and was unhealthy, I did not desire this either , but rather this then the missions.
Not saying males are dirty, I mean, male as in I would have no privacy as a female, sleeping in living room, on couch.
I also New this was because my friend was being influenced by my church in london Ontario, who blame me for my poverty issues.
Much stress to deal with, and all I could bare at the time , was to get some sleep, and clean up.
Then after calling and he Said yes, I had to wait for him to come home.
About a hour or little longer he said.
Another waiting period, feeling exhausted, I waited in lobby, on the floor.
He arrived home and even still I had to wait, to sleep, cause he did not go to bed til 9 pm.
While staying with him. I took care of him, cleaned his apt , and worked hard to earn my keep. Also to stay healthy.
I worked through no privacy, allergies to smoke and other health concerns staying there with him.
2. Next Day
I had to first go see my o.d.s.p worker and set up my income, this meant a appointment time , and to submit info confirming my return date to London Ontario, from BC.
A written paper was needed to confirm, with dates, times, and adjustments for income .
I also submitted a receipt from where I was staying in order to receive a better Income due to being homeless, with a place to stay.
A few days latter.
but my ODSP worker asked me to hurry in doing so,or it would be too late, due to check mailing dates .
Because I had a place to stay,and due to a glutton free and lactose free diet, I was able to get 1000.00 for month in July ,1, 2017
I went without a income check. For June 2017.
In meantime I appealed with BC assistance concerning a check for July 2017 and greyhound reimbursement. I was denied.
I returned to London Ontario on what I was given through income tax return, from Trillium, for greyhound ticket ,in which I receive by choice ounce a year, not ounce a month, and some of it , I used for motel cost for 3 nights , due to no missions not available in B.C , before deciding to return to London Ontario.
I travelled before that to a mission, but left that night to come back to London, Due to no answers to my issues.
I used what I had on me. I used food stamps 25.00 total. To get snacks for greyhound ride back to London Ontario.
The greyhound was my refuge , for desperate lack of sleep, but turned out to be less sleep in long run.
Birthday money given by church friend's, I used as well. My birthday June 12 1967
Greyhound reimbursement denial BC
I am still appealing this due to suffering again, I'm going to supervisor soon.
So no income for first month in london.
This made it hard to get around and submit papers, a lot of walking.
I went for a checkup to see my Dr an d had to get a vitamin b shot.
Then I found strength to do more.
In one day I through not much strength
1. Went to ODSP, did what was required of me by worker.
2. I went and filled out application for housing again, after advocacy from ward 1 city council office made a call on my behalf.
3 . I met Tim Smuck in person,.and we filled out application together appealing last denial.
4. Due to arrears costs , it was iffy , concerning winning my case to housing , Due to arrears costs, explained by Tim Smuck to myself.
5. Then I left office , in hopes of a positive outcome.
6.Then a waiting period.
7. I then received a approval by email few days latter. I was surprised how fast it was. I believe it took less then a week.
8.During this process. I submitted other documents of my own to help with decision.
9. On the same day though I had to go back to ODSP to get a letter from my worker to help with a letter to help my case for approval for housing.
10. Then I had to take it back to housing registry to submit with application.
I was so happy to see the changes , and how close things were , in london Ontario , it put a smile on my face, and hope in my heart. Welfare, family services and other two services in city centre mall. Tim smuck verified ,They used my idea.
So I was so excited I was approved.
The waiting period to get into housing though I was told several times when going back to check on status for my emergency housing and where I was on the list, was said to me, could take from 1 week, up to 5 years waiting time.
Even though it's a emergency situation.
This was discouraging .
During my wait for a answer, it took strategy on my part and more letters submitted, by choice, hoping and praying and endurance.
My financial stability was also In jeopardy.
Because of the waiting process and not knowing how long it would take, I had to eat, and manage my basic needs in meantime during June 2017, and July 2017.
1. No income in June 2017, and had to live off of July 2017 income.
2.Waiting for July Income to come in.
3. I had to walk to soup kitchen for the rest of month. Also had to keep clean, and maintain my life .
My basic income for July 2017, was.
1. Food intake, due to walking issues. Dealing with pain, and lack of rest.
2. Communication
3. Poverty work
4. Clothing
5. Cell phone
6. Bus pass
7. Travel money.
8. Furniture
9. Basic needs, soap, racers, shampoo, health products.
10. Daily tithes and offerings. Took up most of the money for July 2017 .
To my surprise I received a call from london housing, and was excepted Into housing on McKay street.
I was so surprised , excited and happy .
A answer to my prayers, and submission to London housing specifically.
Waiting 1 assured me latter when I let him know, to be careful in specifics , it could take longer to receive housing .
I was able to be placed in the building I desired to be in.
I have good memories here.
My grandmother who died , use to live in McKay st. Apt 502. I'm in 802.
1.I went to see apt, I excepted it and signed some papers. I sang and danced rejoicing.
2. Though I still had some work to do.
3.I had to collect Info from ODSP, for London housing Income statement, and get my ODSP worker to confirm with london housing Corp personally.
4. I had to come up with both first and last month's rent.
I really desired to get in faster but could not hit the criteria of the offer in time. I tried though to do so.
I had to wait til end of July1 2017 to get into my apt.
This was not what I bargained for, Due to not enough money.
1. I tried borrowing. Though I still had about 150.00 in my bank, after surviving , I New I could not come up with first and last in time.
2. I was latter able to get 139.00 from someone in my church for last month rent.
3. I made several calls to intendent in charge of my apt, but could not get through many times, and when able, it turned out, I had to agree to moving in on the check date of July 31 2017 .
4. Though latter became a issue and argument , due to lack of communication hearing issues on housing intendent side.
5. After working very hard and walking through hot sun that day, I had to wait.
5. The agreement was for the Monday of check dated for July 2017, and because of this I ended up, Waiting until Tuesday 1 2017 . To move in.
I was angry, and left with tears in my eyes, crying I went to mall washroom, vented , by looking in mirror verbally. Lol. No one was there at the time.
6. I calmed myself and continued home, knowing I made plans for mover and furniture to be moved in that day, New plans were made.
The next day.
1.The mover, trailer full of furniture , and me and other, went to housing, as we drove , I New I was late, and I called the lady letting her know from housing , with appointment for 9am.
2. She advised me to hurry or I'll have to wait.
Out of my frustration, I Said to her, taking deep breath, I'll be there soon, were on our way. Oh man alive , rush rush and stressful indeed, expressing my frustration in van, don't they know these things can happen, they should be aware and plan it.
3. We finally arrived and with advice from my driver, to let it go, and to be calm going into see intendent , to fill out More papers and get keys , I did just that. Calm cool collective.
4. Then I found out in office I did not apply all needed, but latter found ,it was okay. I went distance and called my ODSP worker in office so she could verify,hoping she would be there, and glory be she was.
All was well, I received my keys.
5. Yaaaaaaaaaa. I was able to move in my apt that day.
MOVE IN DAY
1. Latter after moving into my apt, I found out the apt was not cleaned properly .
2. It made me have to work harder.
3. It was not bad enough I moved all my stuff in , up a small elevator, It was a day of cleaning as well and unpacking.
4. Behind the fridge and stove was stuck on food, and on the fridge and stove, on the sides . Other things left for me to scrub that should have been done before I moved in.
5. I then cleaned it all with a video to prove it, to London registry, and pictures, I sent by email.
6. They received my email, and latter I received a call from manager apologizing.
7. I was very glad to hear this and a order for cleaning job was given and maintenance.
8. I said thank you to manager and expressed my gratitude.
9. Though since this time only one plug was fixed in apt, in the wall in the kitchen,and no one came to clean as of yet. I am questioning now why?
I will be looking into this and some other issues since then I have found, leaky pipe in bathroom , bathtub.
I am still waiting for a voucher for furniture from discretionary benefits, after having to wait 2 weeks prior, and submitting estimate, again due to them only able to give 150.00 voucher . They only give for kitchen table and chairs. If your lucky a bed. This law has to change, I might add, and be according to the person's needs for furniture.
Though this is happening , I am pleased with london Ontario and the changes they have made thus far. I'm thankful for the encouragement from ward 1 and financial help I had from him,and others, along the way. I love you so much!
Way to go london Ontario.
Keep up Good work.
Peace be with you all.
I had to relive this ,to write it.